Car Crash Results In OWI Charges; Driver Had 2 Children In Car

Blood test result indicates driver had a blood alcohol concentration of .30.

DrydenWire.com

Thursday, February 14, 2019 | Updated Feb 15, 2019 8:35 am CST

WASHBURN COUNTY — A car crash that was reported on January 6, 2019, has resulted in criminal charges for Cheri Johnson of Minong, Wisconsin.

According to a criminal complaint filed against Johnson, Washburn County Dispatch received a call shortly after 5p on January 6, reporting that a vehicle had crashed into a tree on County Highway I near Smith Bridge Road in the Town of Minong.

Appoximate location of reported crash

The caller told Washburn County Dispatchers that there was a female driver who was breathing but unresponsive inside the vehicle along with a toddler and a baby. Washburn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Minong Fire and Ambulance.

The criminal complaint goes on to state that neither the driver, identified as Cheri Johnson, nor the children appeared to be injured as a result of the crash.

Authorities attempted to interview Johnson, however, she allegedly fell asleep numerous times, and was unable to answer questions. Johnson and the two children were transported to the emergency room at Spooner Health for medical care.

The criminal complaint includes a blood test result, which indicates that Johnson’s blood alcohol concentration was .30.

Law enforcement also located an empty bottle of prescription pain medication inside Johnson’s vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, hospital staff told law enforcement that Oxycodone was found present in Johnson’s system when she arrived at the hospital.

Johnson is charged with felony Operating A Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated - 3rd Offense, With A Minor Child In The Vehicle, and Operating With Prohibited Alcohol Concentration - 3rd Offense, With A Minor Child In The Vehicle.

Online circuit court records show that Johnson made an Initial Appearance on her charges on February 11, 2019. She is scheduled to have a preliminary examination hearing in March 2019. No information was listed in online records regarding any bail bond for Johnson.

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.